We’re getting mixed messages from the mainstream media. Just last week, Bloomberg told us Facebook and social networks are good for lawyers:

“Online networks are a fantastic tool for identifying expertise in the fields in which general counsel are looking to rein in outside counsel,” Eugene Weitz, an in-house attorney at Paris-based Alcatel Lucent, said in an interview. “Experts bubble up who have the ability to show their knowledge online.”

Some lawyers show a little too much online, though. That can get them into trouble. It can get them reprimanded by the bar, fined, or fired. This weekend, John Schwartz of the New York TImes did a nice round-up of lawyers’ Facebook fiascos.

Some “no-nos” when it comes to online behavior, after the jump.

Is your Facebook page ready for your character and fitness exam? If you are applying to the Florida state bar, you might want to update your profile. Over on True/Slant, Kash examines employers who want to use Facebook against you:

[N]ot all legal types respect Facebook privacy. The Florida Bar Examiners, the group that decides who gets to become a lawyer in Florida, is considering forcing some wannabe lawyers to be subjected to a thorough social networking investigation prior to their being knighted esquires.

Florida bar examiners will look for evidence of substance abuse in applicants with a history of those problems, and will of course check to see if you would like to overthrow the government.

Click on the link below for Kash’s picture thoughts.

Should it be illegal for employers to check job applicants’ Facebook profiles? [True/Slant]

Earlier: What’s Up with the Flori-duh February Bar Exam?

When a group of Facebook users sue Facebook for invasion of privacy, it really gives you hope that the legal profession will come out of this recession stronger than ever. The ability of Americans to turn fear and an incomplete understanding of what they signed up for into a full blown lawsuit is like renewable energy to American lawyers.

As Kash explains on True/Slant, it is really quite easy to get some people to join a legal crusade:

Are you vaguely uncomfortable with Facebook? Something doesn’t feel quite right with the way it handles privacy issues, right? You can’t quite put your finger on what bothers you exactly about handing all of your photos, personal information, videos, friends, and status updates to one corporate entity for indefinite storage, but yeah, there’s something messed up about it.

If the above resonates with you, you should try to join one of the latest legal actions against the social networking company.

Of course, if you do sign up, Kash will think you’re kind of dumb. And you don’t want to disappoint Kash do you?

Check out her full piece here.

Facebook privacy lawsuit tried by the press. Found lacking. [True/Slant]

We’ve previously alluded to the great Facebook land grab, which took place this past weekend. Almost 6 million people signed up for personalized web addresses for their Facebook pages in the first 48 hours.

Above the Law snagged one of our top choices in terms of a username. Check out our page, and become a fan, over at http://www.facebook.com/abovethelawblog. (Our first choice URL was taken by this punk.)

You can also find individual ATL writers on the FB — e.g., Kashmir Hill and Elie Mystal and David Lat. We welcome friend requests via Facebook — as well as news tips, firm memos, etc.

P.S. We’re also on Twitter: http://twitter.com/atlblog.

Above the Law [Facebook]
Facebook Members Nab 5.75 Million User Names in First Two Days [Bloomberg]